Wasa Graffitilandia Residency
Vaasa, Finland
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ABOUT
Abraham O
A Salvadoran contemporary artist based in London, working across painting and monumental public art.
Since beginning his artistic journey in 2012, Abraham O has developed a distinctive visual language that merges hyperrealistic portraiture with expressive abstraction. First recognised for large-scale portraits on the streets of El Salvador, his practice has evolved into a multidisciplinary body of work spanning canvas, public art and site-specific installation.
Through fragmented textures, layered surfaces and expressive compositions, Abraham explores how personal experience and cultural context shape identity. His portraits bring individual stories into dialogue with a diverse world, inviting reflection on memory, belonging and our relationships with one another.
“Every portrait becomes an invitation to pause, to observe, and ultimately to recognise something of ourselves in another.”
The Face as Identity
Through portraiture, I explore identity, memory, expression and belonging in a diverse world. My practice spans murals and studio works, and is rooted in an interest in how personal experiences and cultural contexts find expression in the face.
Colour, texture and layered surfaces form my visual language. In my work, the portrait enters into dialogue with its surroundings and with the people who encounter it, connecting an individual story with a shared experience.
I seek to create encounters that invite us to recognise the experiences we share and the differences that shape who we are.
Growing up in El Salvador and now living in London has shaped my perspective and deepened my interest in the relationship between individual and collective identity. This experience across cultures informs my approach to portraiture and my exploration of the human connections that cross geographical, linguistic and social boundaries.
SELECTED CVExhibitions,
Exhibitions,
public art & recognition.
Exhibitions & residencies
Viva Frida — Mexican Embassy · Group exhibition
London, United KingdomEl Salvador: Belleza en color · Galería Cervantes
MoroccoEl Salvador: Belleza en color · El Badi Palace
Marrakech, MoroccoAshridge House Installation
Berkhamsted, United KingdomOrigen · Fundación Miguel Ángel Ramírez · Solo exhibition
El SalvadorYouth Residency · De La Warr Pavilion
Bexhill-on-Sea, United KingdomSherwin-Williams Art Competition · Museo MARTE
El SalvadorRenacer · Embassy of El Salvador · Group exhibition
Belgium8th International Abstract Art Salon
El SalvadorEfecto X · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Solo exhibition
El SalvadorRepercusión · Galería GRIS 86 · Solo exhibition
El SalvadorIV Bienal de Graffiti Fine Art
São Paulo, BrazilVisual Artists Encounter: El Salvador–Guatemala
El SalvadorLotus Charity
AustriaAbstractica · Galería Espacio · Group exhibition
El SalvadorHocus Pocus · Museo MARTE · Group exhibition
El SalvadorPublic art festivals
Upfest
Bristol, United KingdomUpfest · Cheltenham Paint Festival · Southend City Jam · Look Up Festival
United KingdomSouthend City Jam · Colors Festival, Camden Town · Look Up Festival
United KingdomSouthend City Jam
United KingdomSurfest
ColombiaVision Art Festival
Crans-Montana, SwitzerlandArea 503
El SalvadorLoures Arte Pública
PortugalBonito Mi Barrio
GuatemalaGreen Jam Festival
PolandMeeting of Styles
El SalvadorAwards & recognition
Grand Prize · Sherwin-Williams Art Competition
Museo MARTE, El SalvadorMural and Urban Art Award · Sherwin-Williams Art Competition
Museo MARTE, El SalvadorRecognition for Artistic Creation
University of El SalvadorNational Talent Award
National Youth Institute, El SalvadorCENAR Talent · Second Place
National Art Center, El SalvadorCENAR Talent · Second Place
National Art Center, El SalvadorSelected collaboration
Refugee Week · The Refugee Buddy Project
Hastings, United KingdomNEWSLETTER
Stay in touch.
New projects, exhibitions and available works.
